Bookrest



A 5, 1 4 1.. H. DAVIS 2,294,225

BOOK REST Filed Sept. 5, 1939 INVENTOR.

Patented Aug. 25, 1942 UNITED ST E S PAT E T OFFICE 5 Claims.

My invention relates to bookrests of the type used by a person while reading a book to hold the book in an upright or inclined position on a table or desk.

The object of my invention is to provide a bookrest of very small compass when folded so that it can be carried in the vest pocket much as is a fountain pen or pencil, or in a purse, and which can be easily and quickly opened up for use in holding a book for reading purpose.

Another object of my invention is to provide a bookrest of the character referred to which is simple, practical, strong and convenient.

In order to explain my invention, I have shown a practical embodiment thereof on the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a bookrest embodying my invention, opened up to receive a book;

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged (double actual size) side view of the device in folded condition;

Figure 4 is an edge view looking at the left hand side of the device shown in Fig. 3; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, showing the hinge joint and means for tightening it.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, my invention as here illustrated for descriptive purposes consists of two body members 6 and 1, cut and interfitted together in laminated form, at at 8, to form a hinge joint, with a hole therethrough to receive a flanged sleeve 9, internally threaded to receive a screw head it], having formed thereon a finger or clip H, by means of which the hinge joint can be tightened and loosened for adjustment purposes, and which clip H also serves as does the clip on a fountain pen to hook over the edge of the pocket when the device is folded, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4. The inside of the flange of the flanged sleeve 9, as seen in Fig. 5, is provided with a little stud adapted to seat in suitable indents, as at l2, Figs. 2 and 5, a plurality of indents being indicated at l2, Fig. 2, whereby said flanged sleeve 9 can be adjusted so that the required friction can be secured as the clip finger is turned to tighten the joint.

The body member 6 is extended in a rear brace leg I3, turned up slightly at its lower end and provided with a non-skid sleeve or other means, as at IS.

The body member 1 has pivotally connected to its opposite sides, two front legs I 4 and I5, reduced in breadth at their lower ends and turned up slightly, as at l4, l5, and folding together closely, within the width of the leg metal, as will be seen at the lower end of Fig. 4. These hook portions receive the lower edge of a book placed thereon when the device is in use, as will be understood. The upper ends of the legs I4 and 15 are shown square, while the body member I, is provided with an angle shoulder 1 against which the upper end of the leg [5 bears when opened up for use, as clearly indicated in Fig. 1. The opposite side of said body member 1 is the same for the upper end of the leg I 4. Rubber feet or collars, as [6 and I! are shown on the hooked ends I l, [5.

Pivotally mounted on the front edge of the body 1, above the ends of the legs l4 and I5, are two arms I8 and IS, with pivot pin at 20, the overlapping ends of said arms, on their adjacent faces being provided with indents and slight bulges to interfit, as at 21 and 22, shown in light broken lines on Fig. 1, when said arms are opened out in operating positions.

It will be noted that the material of which the device is made is of uniform thickness and Width, and that when folded together, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the thickness is the same as the width of the metal, and the depth is equal to the combined thickness of the several members folded together flatwise, as seen in Fig. 3, where the two arms and the three legs are all shown flatwise together. Figs. 1 and 2 are in actual full size, while Figs. 3 and 4 are almost double actual size.

It will be understood that by the use of the clip finger I I, the friction of the hinge joint can be regulated and the incline of the rear brace leg l3 can be Whatever is desired'to give the desired slant to the book supported; that when the two front legs l4 and I5 are spread out, as seen in Fig. 1, their upper ends are rigid against the beveled shoulder 1, there being one for each leg shown for descriptive purposes, except as I may be limited by the hereto appended claims.

I claim:

1. A bookrest comprising a body member, a rear brace leg hingedly connected at its upper end to said body member, two front leg members pivotally connected at their upper ends to said body member, each turning on an axis at right angles to the axis of said rear brace leg and adapted to be spread at their lower ends, means for limiting the spread of said front legs, and

means for tightening the hinge connection of said rear brace leg to said body member to hold it in different angles of inclination, said means including a holding clip to hook over a pocket,

' which said holding clp also serves as an operating means for tightening said hinge connection.

2. In a bookrest, a body member, a rear brace leg hingedly connected at its upper end to said body member, two front leg members pivotally connected at their upper ends to said body to turn on an axis at right angles to the axis of said rear brace leg, and adapted to be spread apart at their lower ends, shoulder means at their connected ends at opposite sides of said body member for limiting the spread of said front leg members, and means operable axially of said hinge connection for tightening the same to hold said rear brace leg in different positions of angular adjustment, and a cross arm above the upper ends of said front leg members, said cross arm, front legs and rear brace leg being foldable fiatwise together.

3. In a bookrest, a body member, a rear brace leg, two front legs, and two cross arms pivotally connected to said body member, said legs and arms all being foldable fiatwise together with their opposite edges all flush with each other, said rear brace leg being hingedly connected to said body member with means adapted to be tightened and loosened to lock said brace leg in different angular positions, and a combination lever and clip for operating said locking means,

said body member being provided with stop means adapted to engage said front legs at their upper ends for limiting their spreading movement when open for use.

4. A bookrest comprising a rear brace leg member, two front leg members pivotally connected to be spread apart at their lower ends, two arm members pivotally connected to be extended horizontally in alinement with each other at the upper ends of said front leg members, said leg members and arm members being made of strip metal of uniform width and thickness, and foldable together fiatwise within the width of the metal, means for limiting the spread of the front leg members, means for locking the rear brace leg member in different positions of adjustment relative to the front leg members, and a combination holding clip and tightening lever for holding said rest in folded condition in the pocket.

5. A pocket bookrest including two body members hingedly connected at their upper ends, two front supporting legs pivotally connected at their upper ends to one of said body members and of the same width; a rear brace leg rigidly connected at its upper end to the other body memher and of the same width, two arms pivotally connected to the front of one of said body members above the two front supporting legs to project at opposite sides, and a combination lever and pocket clip operatively connected through said body members for tightening the hinge connection therebetween, to hold said body members in adjusted positions to give spread to the brace leg and the front supporting legs.

LLEWELLYN H. DAVIS. 

